October 2012

Just in time for the holiday season, San Clemente is gearing up for a fantastic event. The Rainbow Sandals Foundation is offering pairs of its incredibly popular surf slip flops for only $25 a pair (They go for double that in local surf stores in San Clemente!). The local San Clemente foundation is raising money for Courtney's Sandcastle Charitable Foundation and the proceeds will benefit the construction of Phase II of the Courtney's Sandcastle playground, "The Sensory Gardens". The San Clemente playground is located at the popular Vista Hermosa Sports Park and serves all children but is designed specifically for children with physical, mental and sensory disabilities. The City of San Clemente recently voted to match up to $110,000 for the project so

HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and Brookfield Asset Management announced today that they have partnered to introduce Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – a new premium franchise brand that joins the existing brands and affiliate networks including Prudential Real Estate nationwide.

The announcement of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices signals a defining moment in real estate. It unites the strengths of two industry leaders, bringing together unparalleled operational excellence, innovation and integrity. With a vision to become the most respected and valued company in the real estate market, this powerful new network will exemplify the reputation of

2703 Via Montezuma, San Clemente in the Shoreclifffs neighborhood

This ocean view beach cottage in San Clemente has been totally redone! 4 bedrooms, 2 baths with 1,684 square feet of living space. The previous owners took this San Clemente cottage down to the studs and built a gorgeous getaway! Vaulted ceilings in the family rooms and kitchen and the exposed wood beams give it a distinct architectural feel. These rooms open up to a huge Great Room with incredible Ocean views and beautiful wood flooring! The handcrafted cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms make this San Clemente cottage a designer’s dream. Enjoy a huge center island with professional Fisher & Paykel appliances and Carrera Marble countertops in this San Clemente home.

There has been much misinformation circulating recently that the health care reform bill passed two years ago includes a sales tax on real estate. This is false information. It is NOT a transfer tax on real estate sales and similar transactions and does NOT eliminate the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion on the sale of a principal residence for individuals and married couples, respectively.

The law imposes a 3.8 percent tax for households in the top tax brackets on “unearned income.” This includes capital gains. The 3.8 percent tax only applies to capital gains above the normal exclusion. A typical home sale will NOT incur any tax, and for the vast majority, the 3.8 percent tax won’t apply.

Incredible opportunity in the exclusive gated community of Monarch Beach in Dana Point! Enjoy gorgeous ocean views of the Pacific and South Orange County from the Master Bedroom’s heated deck! Hardwood flooring throughout, French doors, custom window coverings, baseboards and a sweeping spiral staircase make this Dana Point home a designer’s dream. The upgrades are endless in this four bedroom, three and a half bath Dana Point home in South Orange County. Built-ins, wine cooler, vaulted ceilings and ceiling fans are just a few of the many features of this Dana Point home. Open floor plan with 3,600 square feet of living space make this Dana Point house in South Orange County an ideal family home.

September 2012 statistics show San Clemente CA had 394 foreclosure homes with an average foreclosure sales price of $551,153 vs. an average sales price of $684,191, a $133,039 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

1 in every 371 housing units received a foreclosure filing in September.

San Clemente CA Foreclosure Activity and 30-Year Interest Rate

There were 31 new foreclosures in the 92673 zip code and 39 new foreclosures in 92672, for a total of 31 new foreclosures in San Clemente CA in September 2012. Interest rates dropped to 3.47%.

Orange County CA foreclosure activity is based on total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings…default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession…each month. Interest rate is based

Cotton Point Estate at 4105 Calle Isabella, San Clemente

4105 Calle Isabella is truly a masterpiece. This extraordinary 7 bedroom, 9 bath Spanish estate is located in the most exclusive area in San Clemente. Cotton Point is an oceanfront, guard gated community overlooking Trestles Beach and is home to 16 luxury estate homes on the southern most point of San Clemente. This 10,728 square foot estate was constructed in 2006 on the grounds of the former Western White House. Two secure gates guard this tranquil Neo-Spanish San Clemente home in dramatic fashion.

Beautiful Spanish tile, arched windows, plaster walls and cathedral ceilings throughout this San Clemente home create an old world charm. Wrought iron accents are matched with the latest

Perhaps the person who coined the maxim “Good things come to those who wait” had owners of Orange County real estate in mind, for after a long period of struggling and unpredictability, the housing market is finally touting some good news.

Results from Fannie Mae’s September 2012 National Housing Survey show Americans’ optimism about the recovery of the housing market has grown, bolstered by a series of mortgage rate decreases throughout the summer. Consumer attitudes about the economy also improved substantially last month.

According to Kiplinger, sales of new and existing homes are climbing: 20% for new homes this year; 18% next year. For existing homes, a 2% gain in 2013 will follow about an 8% jump in 2012.

2235 Avenida Salvador in Southeast San Clemente

This luxury four bedroom, four bath custom home is located in beautiful Southeast San Clemente. Get swept away by the ocean and hillside views from almost every room in this San Clemente house. No detail was overlooked in this San Clemente home and the dramatic foyer entryway is no exception. Cathedral ceilings, travertine flooring and wall-to-wall windows accent this stunning room. The second level of this San Clemente home boasts a gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Stainless steel appliances, six burner Gas cook top, gorgeous custom cabinets with glass work and granite countertops all make this San Clemente kitchen an entertainer’s dream.